EP1626290A1 - Image-acquisition module which is intended for monitoring the external environment of a vehicle - Google Patents
Image-acquisition module which is intended for monitoring the external environment of a vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1626290A1 EP1626290A1 EP03727516A EP03727516A EP1626290A1 EP 1626290 A1 EP1626290 A1 EP 1626290A1 EP 03727516 A EP03727516 A EP 03727516A EP 03727516 A EP03727516 A EP 03727516A EP 1626290 A1 EP1626290 A1 EP 1626290A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- module
- housing
- window
- vehicle
- exterior
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 title claims description 6
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 230000002457 bidirectional effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000127225 Enceliopsis nudicaulis Species 0.000 description 1
- -1 and from moisture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004422 calculation algorithm Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003100 immobilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005693 optoelectronics Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R11/04—Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
- G01S3/78—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
- G01S3/781—Details
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/50—Constructional details
- H04N23/51—Housings
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/50—Constructional details
- H04N23/52—Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/50—Constructional details
- H04N23/54—Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/57—Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
- H04N7/183—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
- B60R2011/004—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position outside the vehicle
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S11/00—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
- G01S11/12—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an image acquisition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundings of a vehicle, consisting of a housing, fixable in a releasable manner to an external structure of a vehicle, which protects and accommodates an image detector in its interior, associated with an electronic circuit which, through an optical system, executes the mentioned image acquisition.
- the patent US-5221964 describes an expandable camera module CCD similar to the object of the present application, regarding the inclusion of an optical sensor and an associated circuit in the interior of a housing, in this case a metallic one with tubular form, for its protection regarding the exterior.
- an optical sensor and an associated circuit in the interior of a housing, in this case a metallic one with tubular form, for its protection regarding the exterior.
- no suggestion is made about the possibility of the mentioned module for being used for a vehicle.
- the purpose of the present invention is to offer an image acquisition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundings of a vehicle, in particular of an automobile or a truck, including the advantages stated in the previous paragraph, i.e. to warrant a good operation under various types of adverse situations, arising from external agents, as well as from the luminous incidence impacting on the mentioned module.
- the image acquisition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundingsof a vehicle consists of the following: a housing with a protected interior, at least from moisture and a hermetically closed window by a transparent element, which incorporates in its interior an electronic circuit associated with connecting means to the exterior, an image detector connected to said electronic circuit and opposed to said window, a supporting device connected to the mentioned housing to carry an optical system between the said image detector and the said window; as well as positioning means and releasable fixation means, in order to facilitate at least the focussing of said optical system and the releasable fixation of the module to an external structure of the vehicle. Furthermore, said module disposes of incorporated protection meansprotection means from external agents and luminous incidences, materialised in the form of a visor element, a car gutter, as well as conditioning means regarding the light pass through the mentioned transparent element.
- a mounting adapter has been provided for, in which said visor element and car gutter are integrated, around its opening, in order to couple the housing to the mentioned external structure of a vehicle. Therefore, the mentioned mounting adapter comprises at least focussing and releasable fixation means for the fixation of the housing in cooperation which said focussing means and said releasable fixation means of the housing, guaranteeing a predetermined location of said opening and the visor and car gutter elements in relation to the window, as well as releasable fixation means for the releasable fixation of said mounting adapter to said exterior structure of a vehicle.
- the image acquisition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundings of a vehicle comprises:
- the referred housing 1 consists of two concave halves 11, 12 with respective perimetral borders 13, 14, facing each other, disposed back-to-back throughout a joint 15 and respective continuous flanges extended externally, adjacent to said perimetral borders 13, 14, being provided with an annular elastic sealing element 30 embracing both continuous flanges and covering said joint 15.
- annular elastic sealing element 30 comprises a longitudinal slit adjacent to said exit for the mentioned multicore wiring 2, through which slit passes the multicore wiring 2.
- optical system 8 comprises a tubular body defining an external flange 31 and an externally screw threaded portion 32
- said support 7 comprises an appendix 16, of tubular configuration, protruding from one of the concave halves 11, 12 of housing 1 including said appendix 16 an internal screw thread screw-coupled to the optical system 8.
- An elastic sealing element 34 is disposed in compressed form between said external flange 31 of the optical system's body 8 and one end of the appendix 8, with the aim to protect the accommodated components in the interior of the housing 1 from moisture. This protection is achieved, furthermore, by disposing the mentioned transparent element 35 between one end of the optical system 8 and one interior backing of a cover 17 coupled externally with said appendix 16, consisting said window 6 of an opening in the background wall of the cover (17) .
- the mentioned appendix 16, of the support 7 of the housing 1, is cylindrical and externally screw threaded, and the mentioned cover 17 is, furthermore, cylindrical and internally screw threaded, in order to screw-couple the appendix 16, which includes an axial slot 33 in the external screw thread for the pass of, at least, one electrical cable.
- Said appendix 16 is integral of one of said concave halves 11, 12 of housing 1 which, as well as cover 17, were obtained optionally by injection moulding with a high coefficient of heat conductivity material.
- the mentioned window is associated with protection meansprotection means from external agents and the luminous incidence, guaranteeing an appropriate light pass through said transparent element 35.
- Said protection means are materialized in the form of a visor element 10 disposed around of at least a part of said window 6, acting as a protection in case of rain, avoiding the incidence of rain drops on the window, and, furthermore, will protect camera from the sunrays a car gutter element 27 disposed around of at least a part of said window 6, offering a way out for water in the mentioned case of rain, projecting water to the ground and avoiding water from accumulating in front of the window.
- Said visor element 10 together with said car gutter will form , in case both of them together surround completely the window 6, a front depression 19 (Fig.
- Said window 6 is, furthermore, associated with conditioning means of the onditions of the light pass through said transparent element 35, avoiding in particular steam and ice deposit, and that ing comprise an electrical heating device 9 associated with the mentioned transparent element 35 and/or an optical system 8, in connection with said connection means with the exterior, and forming at least a resistance in the form of a printed ring deposited in at least one face of a peripheral area of the transparent element 35 and connected to the current supply.
- connection means with the exterior could consist of a multicore wiring 2, in the form of a flat tape attached to an exterior multiple connector 3, which, in another preferred embodiment could be directly integrated in the housing 1, and therefore not needing of said multicore wiring 2, or even without needing , the multiple connector 3 and the multicore wiring 2, being both substituted by a radio or infra-red ray signals emitter/receptor, for example.
- the mentioned visor element 10 is in a certain angle inclined outwards and upwards, between 0 and 15°, in respect of a central vision line of the image detector 5, and said car gutter element 27 is in a certain angle inclined outwards and downwards, between 45° and 90°, in respect of a central vision line of the image detector of image 5.
- Another characteristic of both configurations is that some of the more protruding zones of the visor 10 and/or car gutter elements 27 are at a certain distance of a plan in which the window 6 is disposed, not less than the diameter of the window 6.
- the said housing 1 could be directly coupled to an exterior part of a vehicle, or even attached by means of a mounting adapter 18.
- the mentioned visor element 10 and car gutter element 27 could be integrated around an opening 28 of said mounting adapter 18, including focussing means and releasable fixation means for the fixation of said housing 1, possibly of various and different type depending on the application example, which will be properly explained later on, in cooperation with said focussing means and releasable fixation means for the fixation of said housing 1, guaranteeing a predetermined position of said opening 28 and visor 10 (Figs. 3 and 9) and car gutter elements (Figs. 8 and 9) in relation to the window 6, and releasable fixation means for the releasable fixation of said mounting adapter 18 to said external structure 36 of a vehicle.
- said mounting could be executed in two ways, depending on if the visor 10 and car gutter elements 27 would be disposed in said external structure 36 of a vehicle or in the housing 1 itself.
- said visor 10 and car gutter elements 27 would be integrated around an existing opening in said external structure 36 of a vehicle, including focussing means and releasable fixation means for the fixation of said housing 1 and the external structure 36 of a vehicle, in cooperation with said focussing means and said releasable fixation means of the housing 1, guaranteeing a predetermined position of said opening and visor 10 and car gutter elements 27 in relation to the window 6.
- the module fixation to the external structure 36 of a vehicle could be executed in several ways, for example configuration by form-fitting, an example thereof could be that the external structure 36 of a vehicle is a rear view mirror housing, previewing a cavity therein or the fitting of the housing 1 thereinto and a lid covering the cavity trapping an immobilizing in position the module within said cavity.
- the mentioned releasable fixation means for the fixation of mounting adapter 18 to external structure 36 of a vehicle may include elastic pressurized fixation means 29, as may be seen in Fig. 6, or screws 37, as may be seen in Fig. 8, or fixation configurations by form-fitting, or a combination of the mentioned elastic pressurized fixation means 29 with the cited configuration by form-fitting, as may be observed in Fig. 7.
- these comprise support members 24 (Fig. 8 and detail) integrated in the mounting adapter 18 (in case this adaptor is necessary) which are attached to a front part of the housing 1 with a view to maintain the visor 10 and car gutter elements 27 and said opening 28 at a predetermined distance from the window 6.
- Said support members 24 dispose at their ends of holes 25, in which stubs 23 which protrude from a part of the housing 1 are inserted.
- the tubular configuration 20 (see Fig. 9) previously described, would also help for the focussing between the mounting adapter 18 and the housing 1, once it is connected exteriorly to the plug around said support 7 for optical system 8.
- the mentioned external structure 36 of a vehicle in which the module object of the present invention could be installed, could consist of a rear view mirror housing of a vehicle, or a bumper, or any other part of the same, in particular a receptacle susceptible of being used therefor.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Studio Devices (AREA)
- Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)
- Optical Radar Systems And Details Thereof (AREA)
- Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
- Structure And Mechanism Of Cameras (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an image acquisition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundings of a vehicle, consisting of a housing, fixable in a releasable manner to an external structure of a vehicle, which protects and accommodates an image detector in its interior, associated with an electronic circuit which, through an optical system, executes the mentioned image acquisition.
- The patent application EP-A-0591743 describes a device detecting relative positions between vehicles, by means of an optical sensor associated with a rear view mirror, being this optical sensor associated with an electronic processing unit connected to a central information system of the vehicle, receiving the latter the processed signals. Even though, in the mentioned antecedent one states the possibility of the device consisting of an optoelectronic sensor based on CCD technology, its structure is not described in detail and, furthermore, no characteristics are given, nor is the system described where the optical device is integrated, nor anything about the physical location of the device within the vehicle.
- The patent application WO-A-01/61371 of the same applicant describes an object presence detection device similar to the object of the present intervention, however, in that case, specially referring to the process followed when acquiring and processing the images, once digitalized and previously amplified, as well as referring to the different calculation algorithms susceptible to being used. In this antecedent, one describes that a photo sensor and an electronic circuit, responsible for the digitalization of images, are physically united in a multi-chip module, however, as in the previous patent application, one does not describe how this device is disposed or physically mounted in the vehicle.
- In the mentioned antecedents, even though reference is made to its location in a vehicle, and one has stated the possibility that both, the optic sensor and the processing unit, are disposed in the interior of a rear view mirror of the vehicle carrying housing, no mention is made to isolation devices for themselves regarding ambient and external conditions, as for example rain, moisture, dirt, strikes, etc., nor to the protection referring to luminous incidence.
- The patent US-5221964 describes an expandable camera module CCD similar to the object of the present application, regarding the inclusion of an optical sensor and an associated circuit in the interior of a housing, in this case a metallic one with tubular form, for its protection regarding the exterior. However, no mention is made to whether it is hermetically closed, or if the camera is protected against rain and adverse luminous conditions. Furthermore, no suggestion is made about the possibility of the mentioned module for being used for a vehicle.
- Therefore, it is necessary to offer an alternative to these antecedents, in the form of a module similar to the one explained in the previous patents and patent applications, however, focussing on its physical implementation for its installation into a vehicle, offering a better isolated and protected means from the exterior as the already known, both from the external agents, and from moisture, dust, for example, as well as from luminous incidences which may alter, and even damage almost fully, the image quality to be acquired by the camera..
- The purpose of the present invention is to offer an image acquisition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundings of a vehicle, in particular of an automobile or a truck, including the advantages stated in the previous paragraph, i.e. to warrant a good operation under various types of adverse situations, arising from external agents, as well as from the luminous incidence impacting on the mentioned module.
- The image acquisition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundingsof a vehicle consists of the following: a housing with a protected interior, at least from moisture and a hermetically closed window by a transparent element, which incorporates in its interior an electronic circuit associated with connecting means to the exterior, an image detector connected to said electronic circuit and opposed to said window, a supporting device connected to the mentioned housing to carry an optical system between the said image detector and the said window; as well as positioning means and releasable fixation means, in order to facilitate at least the focussing of said optical system and the releasable fixation of the module to an external structure of the vehicle. Furthermore, said module disposes of incorporated protection meansprotection means from external agents and luminous incidences, materialised in the form of a visor element, a car gutter, as well as conditioning means regarding the light pass through the mentioned transparent element.
- A mounting adapter has been provided for, in which said visor element and car gutter are integrated, around its opening, in order to couple the housing to the mentioned external structure of a vehicle. Therefore, the mentioned mounting adapter comprises at least focussing and releasable fixation means for the fixation of the housing in cooperation which said focussing means and said releasable fixation means of the housing, guaranteeing a predetermined location of said opening and the visor and car gutter elements in relation to the window, as well as releasable fixation means for the releasable fixation of said mounting adapter to said exterior structure of a vehicle.
- Other characteristics of the invention will appear clearer starting from the following description of preferred embodimentpreferred embodiments, illustrated in the enclosed drawings, which shall be regarded in an illustrative but not limiting manner.
- The enclosed drawings show the following:
- Fig. 1 shows a transversal section view of an image acquisition module, where one may observe a housing with a series of components in its interior, as well as a wiring associated with a connector.
- Fig. 2 is a ground view of the Fig. 1 module, where one may appreciate part of the positioning and fixation system of the mentioned module.
- Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of an image acquisition module coupled to a mounting adapter, of a first preferred embodiment.
- Fig. 4 is a side elevation view, partially sectioned, of the module and adapter assembly of Fig. 3.
- Fig. 5 is a ground view, partially sectioned, of the module and adapter assembly of Fig. 3.
- Fig. 6 is a ground view of the module and adapter assembly of Fig. 3.
- Fig. 7 is a ground view of the module and adapter assembly of Fig. 3 in an exterior structure of a vehicle.
- Fig. 8 is a side elevation view, partially sectioned, of an image acquisition module coupled to a mounting adapter, and mounted on an exterior structure of a vehicle, of a second preferred embodiment. An extended detail has been extracted therefrom.
- Fig. 9 is a side elevation view, partially sectioned, of an image acquisition module, with a wiring associated with a connector and coupled to a mounting adapter, of a third preferred embodiment.
- The following explanation will refer to all the exposed figures whenever the stated facts are common to all the described preferred embodimentpreferred embodiments. When explaining a specific peculiarity or characteristic of a certain preferred embodiment, this will be duly indicated.
- As shown by these figures, the image acquisition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundings of a vehicle comprises:
- a
housing 1 with a protected interior at least from moisture and a hermetically closedwindow 6 by atransparent element 35; - an electronic circuit 4 accommodated in said
housing 1 and associated with connection means with the exterior, for the supply and bidirectional signal exchange; - an
image detector 5 connected to said electronic circuit 4 and facing saidwindow 6, advantageously integrated in an A.S.I.C. - a
support 7 attached to thehousing 1, in order to carry an optical system 8 between saidimage detector 5 and saidwindow 6; and - positioning means and releasable fixation means, in order to facilitate, at least, the focussing of said optical system 8 and the releasable fixation of the module to an
exterior structure 36 of a vehicle. - The referred
housing 1 consists of twoconcave halves perimetral borders joint 15 and respective continuous flanges extended externally, adjacent to saidperimetral borders elastic sealing element 30 embracing both continuous flanges and covering saidjoint 15. In a portion of at least one of saidperimetral borders multicore wiring 2, executed for example by means of a flexible printed circuit. Said annularelastic sealing element 30 comprises a longitudinal slit adjacent to said exit for the mentionedmulticore wiring 2, through which slit passes themulticore wiring 2. - In a possible preferred embodiment the previously mentioned optical system 8 comprises a tubular body defining an
external flange 31 and an externally screw threadedportion 32, and saidsupport 7 comprises anappendix 16, of tubular configuration, protruding from one of theconcave halves housing 1 including saidappendix 16 an internal screw thread screw-coupled to the optical system 8. - An
elastic sealing element 34 is disposed in compressed form between saidexternal flange 31 of the optical system's body 8 and one end of the appendix 8, with the aim to protect the accommodated components in the interior of thehousing 1 from moisture. This protection is achieved, furthermore, by disposing the mentionedtransparent element 35 between one end of the optical system 8 and one interior backing of acover 17 coupled externally with saidappendix 16, consisting saidwindow 6 of an opening in the background wall of the cover (17) . - The mentioned
appendix 16, of thesupport 7 of thehousing 1, is cylindrical and externally screw threaded, and the mentionedcover 17 is, furthermore, cylindrical and internally screw threaded, in order to screw-couple theappendix 16, which includes anaxial slot 33 in the external screw thread for the pass of, at least, one electrical cable. - Said
appendix 16 is integral of one of saidconcave halves housing 1 which, as well ascover 17, were obtained optionally by injection moulding with a high coefficient of heat conductivity material. - The mentioned window is associated with protection meansprotection means from external agents and the luminous incidence, guaranteeing an appropriate light pass through said
transparent element 35. Said protection means are materialized in the form of avisor element 10 disposed around of at least a part of saidwindow 6, acting as a protection in case of rain, avoiding the incidence of rain drops on the window, and, furthermore, will protect camera from the sunrays acar gutter element 27 disposed around of at least a part of saidwindow 6, offering a way out for water in the mentioned case of rain, projecting water to the ground and avoiding water from accumulating in front of the window. Saidvisor element 10 together with said car gutter will form , in case both of them together surround completely thewindow 6, a front depression 19 (Fig. 8 and 9), that in a preferred embodiment could be extended into a tubular configuration 20 (see Fig. 9) externally connected to a plug around the mentionedsupport 7 for the optical system 8. Saidwindow 6 is, furthermore, associated with conditioning means of the onditions of the light pass through saidtransparent element 35, avoiding in particular steam and ice deposit, and that ing comprise anelectrical heating device 9 associated with the mentionedtransparent element 35 and/or an optical system 8, in connection with said connection means with the exterior, and forming at least a resistance in the form of a printed ring deposited in at least one face of a peripheral area of thetransparent element 35 and connected to the current supply. - The mentioned connection means with the exterior, for the supply and bidirectional signal exchange, could consist of a
multicore wiring 2, in the form of a flat tape attached to an exteriormultiple connector 3, which, in another preferred embodiment could be directly integrated in thehousing 1, and therefore not needing of saidmulticore wiring 2, or even without needing , themultiple connector 3 and themulticore wiring 2, being both substituted by a radio or infra-red ray signals emitter/receptor, for example. - The mentioned
visor element 10 is in a certain angle inclined outwards and upwards, between 0 and 15°, in respect of a central vision line of theimage detector 5, and saidcar gutter element 27 is in a certain angle inclined outwards and downwards, between 45° and 90°, in respect of a central vision line of the image detector ofimage 5. Another characteristic of both configurations is that some of the more protruding zones of thevisor 10 and/orcar gutter elements 27 are at a certain distance of a plan in which thewindow 6 is disposed, not less than the diameter of thewindow 6. - The said
housing 1 could be directly coupled to an exterior part of a vehicle, or even attached by means of amounting adapter 18. In this second case, the mentionedvisor element 10 andcar gutter element 27 could be integrated around an opening 28 of saidmounting adapter 18, including focussing means and releasable fixation means for the fixation of saidhousing 1, possibly of various and different type depending on the application example, which will be properly explained later on, in cooperation with said focussing means and releasable fixation means for the fixation of saidhousing 1, guaranteeing a predetermined position of said opening 28 and visor 10 (Figs. 3 and 9) and car gutter elements (Figs. 8 and 9) in relation to thewindow 6, and releasable fixation means for the releasable fixation of saidmounting adapter 18 to saidexternal structure 36 of a vehicle. - In the case the
housing 1 is directly coupled to anexternal structure 36 of a vehicle, said mounting could be executed in two ways, depending on if thevisor 10 andcar gutter elements 27 would be disposed in saidexternal structure 36 of a vehicle or in thehousing 1 itself. In the first case, saidvisor 10 andcar gutter elements 27 would be integrated around an existing opening in saidexternal structure 36 of a vehicle, including focussing means and releasable fixation means for the fixation of saidhousing 1 and theexternal structure 36 of a vehicle, in cooperation with said focussing means and said releasable fixation means of thehousing 1, guaranteeing a predetermined position of said opening andvisor 10 andcar gutter elements 27 in relation to thewindow 6. In any of both cases, the module fixation to theexternal structure 36 of a vehicle could be executed in several ways, for example configuration by form-fitting, an example thereof could be that theexternal structure 36 of a vehicle is a rear view mirror housing, previewing a cavity therein or the fitting of thehousing 1 thereinto and a lid covering the cavity trapping an immobilizing in position the module within said cavity. - The mentioned releasable fixation means for the fixation of
mounting adapter 18 toexternal structure 36 of a vehicle, may include elastic pressurized fixation means 29, as may be seen in Fig. 6, orscrews 37, as may be seen in Fig. 8, or fixation configurations by form-fitting, or a combination of the mentioned elastic pressurized fixation means 29 with the cited configuration by form-fitting, as may be observed in Fig. 7. - Concerning the releasable fixation between the
mounting adapter 18 and thehousing 1, in the three preferred embodiments shown in the figures, this is made by means of at least a pair ofelastic arms 21 ending inprojections 22, for example in the form of a nail extending themselves from themounting adapter 18, in order to laterally embrace thehousing 1 and snap-fit fixate, by means ofsaid projections 22, on shoulders existing in thehousing 1. Obviously, any other fixation alternative would be possible, as for example the fixation by means of screws or form-fitting, in which case an internal face of themounting adapter 18 could by provided with a configuration in which thehousing 1 and the arms analogous to the ones described before, would fit in order to immobilize thehousing 1. - With regards to the previously mentioned focussing means between the
adapter 18 and thehousing 1, these comprise support members 24 (Fig. 8 and detail) integrated in the mounting adapter 18 (in case this adaptor is necessary) which are attached to a front part of thehousing 1 with a view to maintain thevisor 10 andcar gutter elements 27 and said opening 28 at a predetermined distance from thewindow 6. Saidsupport members 24 dispose at their ends ofholes 25, in whichstubs 23 which protrude from a part of thehousing 1 are inserted. The tubular configuration 20 (see Fig. 9) previously described, would also help for the focussing between the mountingadapter 18 and thehousing 1, once it is connected exteriorly to the plug around saidsupport 7 for optical system 8. - The mentioned
external structure 36 of a vehicle, in which the module object of the present invention could be installed, could consist of a rear view mirror housing of a vehicle, or a bumper, or any other part of the same, in particular a receptacle susceptible of being used therefor. - When comparing figures 4, 8 and 9, we may observe how the form, size and angle of the
visor 10 andcar gutter elements 27 are different in each case, observing that in Fig. 4 thecar gutter element 27 does not even exist. All this shows the different possible mounting adapters which can be used for the same task. - An expert in the state of the art could introduce changes and modifications in the described preferred embodiments without leaving aside the scope of the invention as defined by the enclosed claims.
Claims (40)
- Image acquisition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundings of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises:- a housing (1) with an interior protected against at least moisture and a window (6) hermetically closed by a transparent element (35);- a electronic circuit (4) accommodated in said housing (1) and associated with connection means with the exterior, for supply and/or bidirectional signal exchange;- an image detector (5) connected to said electronic circuit (4) and opposed to said window (6);- a support (7) attached to the housing (1) to carry an optic system (8) between said image detector (5) and said window (6); and- positioning means and releasable fixation means to enable at least the focussing of said optic system (8) and the releasable fixation of the module to an external structure (36) of a vehicle.
- Module, according to claim 1, wherein said window (6) is associated with at least one protection device from external agents and from the luminous incidence, guaranteeing an appropriate light pass through said transparent element (35).
- Module, according to claim 2, wherein said protection device, which is at least one, comprises a visor element (10) disposed around at least a part of said window (6).
- Module, according to claim 3, wherein the protection device comprises, furthermore, a car gutter element (27) disposed around at least another part of said window (6).
- Module, according to claim 1, wherein said window (6) or said support (7) are, furthermore, associated with conditioning means of the light pass conditions through said transparent element (35).
- Module, according to claim 5, wherein said conditioning means comprise an electric heater device (9) associated with said transparent element (35) and/or with said optical system (8) and being supplied from said connection means with the exterior.
- Module, according to claim 4, wherein said visor (10) and car gutter elements (27) are integrated around an opening (28) of a mounting adapter (18) of the housing (1), including said adapter (18) focussing means and releasable fixation means for the fixation of said housing (1) in cooperation with said focussing means and said releasable fixation means of the housing (1) guaranteeing a predetermined position of said opening (28) and visor (10) and car gutter elements (27) in relation to the window (6), and releasable fixation means for the releasable fixation of said mounting adapter (18) to said external structure (36) of a vehicle.
- Module, according to claim 4, wherein said visor (10) and car gutter elements (27) are integrated around an opening existing in said external structure (36) of a vehicle, including focussing means and releasable fixation means for the fixation of said housing (1) to the external structure (36) of a vehicle in cooperation with said focussing means and said releasable fixation means of the housing (1) guaranteeing a predetermined position of said opening (28) and of the visor (10) and car gutter elements (27) in relation to the window (6).
- Module, according to claim 4, wherein said visor (10) and car gutter elements (27) are part of the housing (1) itself.
- Module, according to claim 1, wherein said connection means with the exterior, for the supply and/or for bidirectional signal exchange, are linked to an exterior multiple connector (3).
- Module, according to claim 10, wherein said exterior multiple connector (3) is incorporated into housing (1).
- Module, according to claim 10, wherein said exterior multiple connector (3) is disposed at the end of a multicore wiring (2).
- Module, according to claim 12, wherein said multicore wiring (2) has the form of a flat tape.
- Module, according to claim 12, wherein said multicore wiring (2) is a printed flexible circuit.
- Module, according to claim 1, wherein said connection means with the exterior, for the supply and/or the bidirectional signal exchange, are materialized in the form of an emitter/receptor of electromagnetic waves.
- Module, according to claim 15, wherein said emitter/receptor of electromagnetic waves is a radio signals emitter/receptor.
- Module, according to claim 15, wherein said emitter/receptor of electromagnetic waves is an infra-red rays signals emitter/receptor.
- Module, according to claim 1, wherein said image detector (5) is part of an integrated circuit.
- Module, according to claim 18, wherein said integrated circuit is an A.S.I.C.
- Module, according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said releasable fixation means for the fixation of the mounting adapter (18) to the exterior structure (36) of a vehicle include pressurized elastic fixation elements 29).
- Module, according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said releasable fixation means for the fixation of the mounting adapter (18) to the exterior structure (36) of a vehicle include form-fitting fixation configurations .
- Module, according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said releasable fixation means for the fixation of the mounting adapter (18) to the exterior structure (36) of a vehicle include screws (37).
- Module, according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said exterior structure (36) of a vehicle is an exterior rear view mirror housing of a vehicle.
- Module, according to claim 3, wherein said visor element (10) is in a small angle inclined outwards and upwards regarding a central vision line of the image detector (5).
- Module, according to claim 24, wherein said small angle is approximately in an interval between 0 and 15°.
- Module, according to claim 4, wherein said car gutter (27) is in a certain angle inclined outwards and downwards in respect of a central vision line of the image detector (5).
- Module, according to claim 26, wherein said angle is approximately in the interval between 45° and 90°.
- Module, according to claim 3 or 4, wherein some of the more protruding zones of the visor (10) and/or car gutter elements (27) are at a certain distance of a plan in which the window (6) is disposed not less than the window diameter (6).
- Module, according to claim 1, wherein said housing (1) consists of two concave halves (11, 12) with respective perimetral borders (13, 14) opposed to each other and back-to-back throughout a joint (15).
- Module, according to claim 29, wherein said concave halves (11, 12) are provided with respective continuous flanges extended externally and adjacent to said perimetral borders (13, 14), being an annular elastic sealing element(30) embracing both continuous flanges and covering said joint (15).
- Module, according to claim 30, wherein in a part of at least one of said perimetral borders (13, 14) there is a recess to provide an exit for a multicore wiring (2).
- Module, according to claim 31, wherein said annular elastic sealing element(30) comprises a longitudinal slit adjacent to said exit for said multicore wiring (2), through which slit the multicore wiring (2) passes.
- Module, according to claim 29, wherein said optical system (8) is integrated in a tubular body defining an external flange (31) and an externally screw threaded portion (32), and said support (7) comprises an appendix (16) protruding from one of said two concave halves (11, 12) of the housing (1), including said appendix (16) an internal screw thread to which the optical system (8) is screw coupled.
- Module, according to claim 33, wherein at least one elastic sealing element(34) is included, compressed between said external flange (31) of the optical system body (8) and an appendix end (16).
- Module, according to claim 34, wherein said transparent element (35) is disposed between one end of the optical system (8) and an inner bottom wall of a cover (17) externally coupled to said appendix (16), consisting said window (6) of an opening in said inner bottom wall of said cover (17).
- Module, according to claim 35, wherein an electrical heater (9) is included, consisting of at least one resistance in the form of a printed ring or deposited in at least one face of a peripheral area of the transparent element (35) and connected to current supply.
- Module, according to claim 35, wherein said appendix (16) is cylindrical and externally screw threaded, and the cover (17) is cylindrical and internally screw threaded in order to screw couple the appendix (16).
- Module, according to claim 37, wherein said appendix (16) includes an axial slot (33) in the external screw thread, for, at least, the pass of a current supply cable.
- Module, according to claim 38, wherein said appendix (16) is integral of one of said concave halves (11, 12) of the housing (1), which are obtained by injection moulding of a high-coefficient heat conductivity material.
- Module, according to claim 35, wherein said cover (17) is obtained by injection moulding of a high-coefficient heat conductivity material.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/ES2003/000240 WO2004104626A1 (en) | 2003-05-22 | 2003-05-22 | Image-acquisition module which is intended for monitoring the external environment of a vehicle |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1626290A1 true EP1626290A1 (en) | 2006-02-15 |
EP1626290B1 EP1626290B1 (en) | 2011-10-05 |
Family
ID=33462329
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03727516A Expired - Lifetime EP1626290B1 (en) | 2003-05-22 | 2003-05-22 | Image-acquisition module suitable for monitoring the external environment of a vehicle |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7929048B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1626290B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4423208B2 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE527556T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003233805A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2374533T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004104626A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2015120841A1 (en) * | 2014-02-11 | 2015-08-20 | Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg | Compact camera device |
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DE102005000656B4 (en) * | 2005-01-04 | 2017-02-23 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Camera and method for mounting a camera |
DE102008046453A1 (en) * | 2008-09-09 | 2010-03-11 | Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg | Modular image capture unit |
US20100295989A1 (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2010-11-25 | Compal Electronics, Inc. | Image capturing device and manufacturing method of sealing structure |
DE102011107594A1 (en) * | 2011-07-16 | 2013-01-17 | Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh | Optical measuring device for a vehicle, driver assistance device with such a measuring device and vehicle with a corresponding measuring device |
US9179104B2 (en) | 2011-10-13 | 2015-11-03 | At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp | Method and apparatus for managing a camera network |
US8861951B2 (en) * | 2011-12-05 | 2014-10-14 | Flextronics Ap, Llc | Two part camera module |
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- 2003-05-22 JP JP2004572048A patent/JP4423208B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-05-22 AT AT03727516T patent/ATE527556T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-05-22 EP EP03727516A patent/EP1626290B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-05-22 WO PCT/ES2003/000240 patent/WO2004104626A1/en active Application Filing
- 2003-05-22 ES ES03727516T patent/ES2374533T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-05-22 AU AU2003233805A patent/AU2003233805A1/en not_active Abandoned
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WO2015120841A1 (en) * | 2014-02-11 | 2015-08-20 | Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg | Compact camera device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7929048B2 (en) | 2011-04-19 |
US20060139482A1 (en) | 2006-06-29 |
WO2004104626A1 (en) | 2004-12-02 |
AU2003233805A1 (en) | 2004-12-13 |
ES2374533T3 (en) | 2012-02-17 |
JP4423208B2 (en) | 2010-03-03 |
ATE527556T1 (en) | 2011-10-15 |
EP1626290B1 (en) | 2011-10-05 |
JP2006526135A (en) | 2006-11-16 |
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